Blasting the way into 2025 could have dangerous consequences for human and animal health alike Fireworks have been lit in celebration for thousands of years, and this New Year’s Eve is no different. But, while Americans and millions around the world ring in the new year with dazzling displays of multi-colored chemical reactions , they may not realize their damaging impact on the environment and ecosystems. “Looking at the composition of these particles and which ones may be the most toxic to human health, fireworks are in the mix with particles from coal-fired power plants, which appear to be the worst,” Terry Gordon, a professor at New York University, told the publication Delaware Currents last July. “Based on the fact that fireworks are so high in metal content compared to regular particles that we breathe, I believe they’re extremely toxic,” he said. That’s something medical experts agree with. Modern-day fireworks are made of chemicals and mineral elements . Strontium makes red fireworks and barium makes green. Americans release nearly 300 million pounds into Earth’s atmosphere every year, according to the American Lung Association . Fireworks explode over Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025. While the displays are often stunning to behold, they can degrade air quality and cause other harms to the environment (AP Photo/Chan Long Hei) The explosions rain down from the sky and, unfortunately, include contaminants that degrade air quality and can harm the lungs. The group warned that illegal fireworks that contain lead can cause long-term damage, although inhaling gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide can make it hard to breathe. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities that contributes to Earth’s warming. Exposure has been shown to increase lung diseases and chronic cough. Particles […]
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